— - ) 



STATE 



BOSTON SCHOOLS. 



MAY, 1826. 



REP 



OET £- 



's^E s,is^iS)tL (S@n:i^'!fi!s 



OP THE 



CITY OF BOSTON, 



ON 



S^fie ^tntt of tlie ^tfiool!^. 



MAY, 1826. 



BOSTON : 
THOMAS B. WAIT AND SON, PRINTERS, 

No. 90, Court-Street. 
1826. 






D. ofO, 



Ic/vH 



In School Committee 26th May, 1826. 

Voted that Mr. EI. J. Oliver, the special committee to prepare the Re- 
turn of the several schools in the city, to be made to the Secretary of the 
Comrnonweailh, in compliance with the requirements of the statute of 4th 
March last, entitled " an act further to provide for the instruction of youth" 
— and to report to this board, — be authorised and requested to make the 
return, this day reported, to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, as from 
this board. 

Voted that the same committee be requested to cause five hundred copies 
of the Report aforesaid to be printed in a pamphlet form, together with such 
of the documents accompanying rt, as, in his opinion, will be consistent with 
the rights of individuals, and conducive to public benefit. 

Attest Jno. Pierpont, Secretary. 



REPORT. 



The sub-committee appointed at a meeting of the 
School Committee on the seventh ultimo, ' for the 
purpose of preparing a return of the several schools 



in this city, to be made to the Secretary of this 
Commonwealth, in compHance with the requirements 
of the statute of the 4th of Mirch last — entitled an 
act further to provide for the instruction of youtii — ■ 
have attended that service, having commenced upon 
the preliminary duty assigned them, that of inquirij^ 
on the 8th and completed the same on the 17th in- 
stant, and now ask leave to report. 

That the whole number of Pub- 



lic Schools in the city is - - - 74 
viz. 9 Grammar and 9 Writing Schools, 
one Latin School — one English High 
School for boys,one English High School 
for girls — ^51 schools for children be- 
tween 4 and 7 years of age and deno- 
minated ' Primary Schools,' and two 
schools in the House of Industry at 
South Boston — for the particulars of 
all which see paper marked (A.) 
That the whole number of pu- 
pils at the above schools is - - 7044 
For the numbers, ages and other parti- 
culars see papers (A) and (B) — and it 
may not be uninteresting in this place to 
state, that of this number of 7044, there 
are 218 colored children, who are parti- 
cipating in the advantages of each branch 
of instruction enjoyed at our public 
schools. 

That the expense of tuition, fuel 

&c. for the current year is estimated to 

be - ^ - - - - ;^54,417 0O 



without any reference to the cost of 
the several public buildings where those 
children over 7 jears of age receive 
their instruction, and which are ten in 
number, the average cost of which, as 
appears from the books at the auditor's 
office, is but little short of ^20,000 for 
each school house. 

That the whole number of pri- 
vate schools in this city, as ascertained 
from a personal visit by your commit- 
tee to each school is (see paper marked 

C.) - HI 

That the whole number of pu- 
pils at said schools is - - - 3392 
as will appear by the separate schedule 
of each ward and marked C — ffivinsf the 
nu tubers &c. at each school of those un- 
der 4 — those from 4 to 7 — those from 
7 to 14 and those over 14 years of age. 
— And here it may be mentioned, that 
there are 272 children at school under 
the age oi four years. 

That the expense of instruction 

at these schools estimating from the 

most correct data which could be had, 

including the average expense of books 

&;c. both at these and the public schools, 

for the current year, is - - - $97,305 25 

(For the particulars of this item, see 

statement marked C.) 
That the whole number of schools in 

the city is 215 



That the ivhole number of children at 
the pubhc and private schools in this 
city at the present time is - - 10,436 

That the whole amount of public and 
private tuition including expense of 
books as before expressed, is - $151,722 25 

Your committee present the above particulars, 
together with the additional information required 
by the act of the legislature in the printed form ac- 
companying this report, which if it receive the sanc- 
tion of the school committee, will constitute the re- 
turn to be made at the secretary of the common- 
wealth's office.* 

The preceding report and return embrace, as has 
already appeared, the 'private schools of our city. 
Strictly considered, and with all due deference to the 
legislature, it was conceived, by many of the teachers 
— that that body had no authority to demand of any 
town the information pertaining to this class of 
schools — and hence that no town could require the 
information of any teacher of a private school. — In 
some instances the questions were asked of your 
committee, why do you request this information of 
us? what is the object of it &c. — when on explana- 
tion, the information was very readily afforded. Your 
committee would take this opportunity to express 
their thanks to the teachers, generally, for the 
promptitude and urbanity which characterised them 
in their answers, and, in several instances, in the aid, 

* The return as made to the Legislature does not appear in this 
pamphlet — the items were the same but the arrangement was al- 
together different. 



afforded to your committee in making their inquiries, 
and which have resulted in completing a return, with 
regard to which, the school committee of Boston 
would unite with all teachers of Youth and tiieir 
fellow citizens in general, in mutual congratulations, 
that we live in a day when the interests of learning 
are so generally and so liberally fostered, and for the 
encouraging belief, that under the blessing of God, 
they cannot but be attended with the most impor- 
tant and happy consequences. 

In conclusion and somewhat in connection with 
the preceding paragraph on the subject of private 
schools, it remains for your committee to recom- 
mend, that the several particulars of each of these 
schools, and embraced in the packet marked C, be 
placed on the files of the secretary of this board, 
with the understanding, that no public use is to be 
made of the information other than that which 
is here given in aggregate in the numbers of 
schools, pupils, and amount of tuition.* This direc- 
tion of these papers is due to the teachers, and was 
understood with many of them should be had in re- 
gard to them. 

All which is respectfully submitted. 

Henry J. Oliver, 

ConimiUee. 
Boston, May 27, 1826. 

* The return marked C, as made to the School Committee, 
was in twelve sheets, and contained the names of each teacher, 
prices of tuitien, kc. 



(A) 

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS — MAY 1826. 



NAMES OF 


c 
c 

c 

IX} 


Males. 


Females. 


5 

C J3 

a; .s 
* 


SCHOOLS. 


"2 

3 


2 

o 


> 
c 


C 
3 


o 


c 


Primary, 


51 


1310 


120 




1229 


146 


1818 


Eliot, 


2 




254 


1 




195 10 


1713 


Adams, 


2 




295 


5 




268 14 


1717 


Franklin, 


2 




323 


7 




218 9 


1785 


Mayhew, 


2 




226 







172' 8 


1803 


Boylston, 


2 




220 


7 




152 


9 


J819 


Hancock, 


2 




305 


4 




247 


5 


1822 


Hawes, 


2 




53 


7 




46 


4 


JSII 


Bowdoin, 


2 




282 


4 




273 


22 


I82I 


Latin, 


1 




152 


28 








1635 


High School } 
for Boys, ^ 
Ditto for Girls, 


1 
] 




34 


75 




53 


77 


182 J 
1825 


African, 


2 




41 


13 




28: 


10 


1812 


House of Industry , 


2 


24 


14 


o 


32 


7| 


4 




r 


334|. 


>3191153|1261|1805|172| 





RECAPITULATION. 



Under 7-males 


1334 


females 


1261 


7 to 14-amles 


2319 


females 


1805 


over 14-males 


153 


females 


172 


Total 


7044 



* See Note in relation to these dates on last page. 



(B) RETURN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMITTEE. MAY 1826. 



NO. OP 
DISTRICT. 



No. of 

5cll00l. 



Location of School. 



Name of Teacher. 



III. 



IV. 



VI. 



VII. 

Formerly 
one district. 

Not yet 

reoig .ni^ed. 

VIII. 



Charter street, 

Hanover street, 

North Bennet street, 

Battery street, 

Ann street. 

Fleet street, 

Prince street, 

Salem street, 

Hanover street. 

Cross street, 

Prince street. 

Pond and Salem streets, 

Ann and Richmond streets, 

Scotts Court, Union street, 

bcotts Court, do. 

Distill House Square, 

Leverett Place, 

Pitts Court, 

Wiltshire street, 

Second street, 

Spring street, 

Cambridge street. 

South Kussell street, 

May street, 
Cambridge street, 
< 5 Belknap, 
I 6 George street. 
May street 
Hamilton street, 
Broad street. 
Purchase street. 
High street, 
Theatre Alley, 
Court in Washington street, 
Devonshire street, 
Boylston Court, 

lliot street, 
Pleasant street, 
Front street. 
Short .street. 
East street, 
Tea street, 

Near the head of Warren st 
VJech nic Place, 
No. 707 Washington street, 
ijo_)lston qiinre, 
No. 676 VVashington street, 
Washington street Neck, 
-DUth Boston, 
51' miti. Boston, 
!• .(ji • Ho.ston. 



i i'.;i.i iJi!^tiicts, J I Sciiool^ 



Mrs. White, 

Mrs. Ditson, 

Mrs. Adams, 

Miss Eaton, 

Miss Domett, 

Miss Hagar, 

Miss Thayer, 

Miss Barnes, 

Mrs. Wilder, 

Mrs. Davies, 

Mrs. Hansen, 

Miss Snow, 

Miss Turner, 

Miss Deshon, 

Miss Hunstable, 

Miss Vallette, 

Mrs. Parmenter, 

Miss Lord, 

Miss Townsend, 

Miss Peirce, 

Miss Howe, 

Miss Ford, 

Miss Jevveft, 

Miss Johnson, 

Miss Bailey, 

J Mrs. Foster, 

i Mrs. Paul, 

Miss Moore, 
Mrs. Newmarch, 
Miss Newmarch, 
.Miss Fox, 
Miss BlaDchard, 

Vliss Page, 
Miss Greene, 
Miss Ares, 
.Miss Greaton 
Miss M'Intosh, 
.Mrs. Hope, 
Mrs. 'Ihivxter, 
.Miss tidfis, 
yUii Cutliing, 
viiss Rogers, 
•iiss Warren, 
Miss Bell, 
'>iis< Groves, 
Miss Churchill, 
Miss Shvvin, 

Vlifs Hill, I latest established] 
Mrs. Thayer, 
.Miss Cole, 
^liss Fiske. 



No 

if girls 
under 
7 yr.s. 



imO'') pupils, average .55 to a Sch, 



3; 
2P 
20 
lij 
25 
20 

n 

2.S 
27 
26 
Ifc 
28 
35 
26 
29 
23 
28 
28 
2: 
28 
32 
17 
27 
26 
13 
24 
15 
17 
37 
27 
19 
25 
22 
29 
27 
30 
30 
25? 
25 
19 
21 
34 
25 
20 
12 
23 
12 
20 
17 
27 



Girls 
over 

1 yrs 



total 

of 

girls. 



Boys 
under 
7 yrs. 



Itii) 146 1376 13U/ IM 



Boys 
over 
7 yrs. 



total 
boys 



Total 
pupils 
May )•, 



Left since 
U March 



12 
18 
10 
17 
18 
13 
12 

4 
15 
11 
18 

6 
19 
20 
17 
23 
19 
14 
24 

7 
11 
21 
14 
21 

9 
18 j 

7' 
20 
12 
13 

7 

8 
13 

7 
II 
16 
14 
18 
10 
13 
13 

5 

4 
17 

7 

7 
10 

4 
10 

9 



In addition to the foregoing, two other schools 
are by a vote of the board authorised, but not 
yet established: viz. one at the Mill Dam, and 
one at the western part of the city; for each of 
which it is understood there are from thirty to 
forty pupils in readiness, not included in the 
foregoing. 

The schools are kept the whole year round 
for each sex* and at uniform hours, according to 
the season, which we believe are the same as 
those adopted for the Grammar Schools, and 
with similar vacations. 

The average annual expense for school books 
to each pupil for their whole term may be esti- 
mated at about fifty cents; though pupils at their 
commencing expend less, as elementary cards 
belonging to the city are made use of in the 
lowest class, which, on the above average, per- 
mits some additional expense to first class scho- 
lars. 

The regulations devote to each school two 
dollars to be annually expended for rewards at 
the discretion of the district committees. 

We do not know that any children are pre- 
vented attending school for the want of books — 
though many who do attend are frequently quite 
destitute thereof and require aid. 

Of the ninnber contained in this last column 
as having left their respective schools since the 
semi-annual examination at the close of March, 
we presume at least one half have been admit- 
ted to the public grammar schools, — some have 
gone to private schools — and some have been 
transferred to other primary schools in different 
locations nearer their present places of resi- 
dence. 



♦ Thi» is correct, with the exception (and if should be 
f»ted hen ) that for four months ia the year, say from 
'if(('ii!ber 1st to April 'st, the misses at the common 
iiummar and writing Schools do not attend school. 



(C) 



MEMORANDUM OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS. 



WARDS. 


o 
o 




Boys. 


Misses. 






t^ 


^ 


^ 


f^ 


■«}" 


"* 


Annual 




n 


■^3 


o 


o 


a; 


o 


o 


0) 


cd 


expense. 


1 




3 


■V 


t^ 


o rp 1 


«^ 


b 






No. 1 


12 


27 


41 


58 


6 


41 


105 


58 


336 


4466 


2 


6 


11 


16 


1 





17 


34 





79 


734 


3 


6 


13 


6 


3 





31 


31 


1 


85 


758 


4 


16 


10 


53 


84 


60 


63 


111 


27 


408 8746 


5 


9 


4 


54 


54 


4 


59 


77 


9 


261 5448 


6 


12 


24 


24 


6 





50 


94 


50 


248 10.720 


7 


24 


33 


25 


79 


19 80 


272 


92 


60023.222 


8 


18 


49 


59 


74 


29, 72 


278 


44 


605 


11.838 


9 


3 


7 


8 





25 


11 


3 


54 


624 


10 


12 


24 


38 


12 


69 


169 


53 


365 


8230 


11 


14 


37 


41 


21 


41 


46 


15 


201 


3668 


12 


11 


33 


20 


20 


1' 29 


46 


1 


150 


2130 


141 


272 


385 


412 


119 577 


1274 


353 


3392 


80.584 



Of the above 141 schools, 22 are conducted by gentlemen, 
and 1 19 bj ladies. 



Estimate expenses of Private Schools as above 

Expense of books, viz. 
1234 pupils at 75 cents each is % 925 50 
2158 " pi " 4,855 50 

— 3392 $5,781 00 

Public Schools, viz. 
2805 at 50 cents each is <^1,402 50 
4239 " $2^ is 9.537 75 
7044 10,940 25 



^^80,584 00 



10,436 



16,721 25 



Amount of tax for Public Schools as taken 
from Auditor's books 



97,306 26 
54,417 00 



Total amount for Public and Private Schools, ^151,722 ^ 

2 



J0 



STATEMENT OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN BOSTON, 
MAY 1817. 

A statement of the schools as they stood in 1817, 
may not be uninteresting and is here given — it is 
believed to be the only return previous to the pre- 
sent, nhich has ever been made of all the schools in 
Boston, and was obtained at that time at the instance 
of the town, the year previous to the establishment 
of the primary schools. 

Numbers in Public Schools in May 1817. 

Schools. 

304 males, and 149 females. 
75 
236 " 
234 " 



Eliot, 


2 


304 n: 


Adams, 


2 


259 


Franklin, 


2 


362 


May hew, 


2 


339 




1264 


Latin, 


1 




South Boston, 


1 




African 


1 




Alms House, 


1 





694* total 2268 

100 

40 

60 

100 



At Public Schools, 12 in number, total number of pupils 2558 

At Privaie Schools, 154 in number, 4132 

Total number of 

Schools, 166 total 6690 



Town tax in 1817 for above schools was ^18,700 



* The number of Misses at the Grammar Schools were even less than this 
fey nearly "ZQO. 



11 



NAMES OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE SINCE 1789. 



The following gentlemen have served, in the order as tliey are 
published, on the School Committee since the adoption of the pre- 
sent system of the Boston Schools in 17b9— having served the 
number of years set against their names Those ivith an S against 
Iheir names were Selectmen, and those marked A were members 
of the Board of Aldermen, and served on said Committee ex officio. 
Those in italics are deceased. 



John Scollay, 
Harbottle Dorr, 
Ezekiel Price, 
John Brown, 
Edward Tyler, 
John Jindrews, 
Thomas IValley, 
Wm Boardiiian, 
Ebcneze.r Seaver, 
Thomas Dawes, 
Rev. Samuel West, 
Rev. Dr. Lathrop, 
Rev. Jc.mes Freeman, 
John Coffin Jones, 
Dr. Thomas Welsh, 
Dr. JVath. W. Appleton, 
Jona. Mason, jr. 
Dr. Aa. Dexter, 
Chrislophc I Gore, 
Geo R. Minot, 
William Tudor, 
Jahez H'llch, 
Thomas Edzcards, 
Jo.ieph Pence, 
Thomas Cr ijts, 
William Liitle, 
Samuel Cabot, 
Chas. Biiifiiich, 
Wm. Scolicy, 
Jona fj Jiustin, 
Rfv. John Clark, 
William Smilh, 
Jesse Putnam, 
Dr. David Townsend, 
Rev. Samuel Stillman, 





yrs. 






yrs. 


s 


2 


David Tilden, 


S 


13 


s 


3 


Husseil Sttirgis, 


S 


8 


s 


9 


Jona. L. Austin, 




1 


s 


1 


Dr. Wm. Spooner, 




4 


s 


2 


Aiiiold Welles, jr. 




1.6 


s 


2 


Joseph Crocker, 




I 


s 


9 


Edward Gray, 




9 


s 


9 


J 0710 til an Harris, 


s 


1 


s 


10 


Joseph Howard, 


8 


G 




18 


Benj Austin, jr. 


S 


1 




14 


Eben. Hancock, 


S 


3 




8 


David Greene, 




15 




4 


Rev. J. T. K.rkland, 




13 




G 


Rutijs G, Amory, 




2 




33 


William I^orter, 


s 


13 




6 


Wm. Sherburne f 


s 


5 




4 


Joseph May, 


s 


1 




32 


Samuel Cobb, 


s 


1 




4 


John Tileston, 


S 


7 




9 


Kben. Oliver, 


s 


20 




' 8 


Rev Jos Eckley, 




10 


s 


2 


Josiah Qiiincy, 




6 


s 


2 


Jon. fiunnewell. 


s 


20 


s 


2 


Rev. Wm Emerson, 




11 


s 


6 


John Phillips, 




10 


s 


7 


John J\'Jfty, 


s 


9 


s 


1 


Francis Wright, 


s 


9 


s 


23 


Jon Chapman, 


s 


4 


s 


3 


Jolui Bray, 


s 


2 


s 


3 


John Heard, jr. 




11 




3 


Charles Davis, 




14 




24 


Joseph Kettell, 


s 


2 


s 


1 


John Davis. 




o 




3 


Nathan Webb, 


s 


6 




5 


Joseph Foster, 


s 





12 



Benj. Weld, 


S 


7 


Rev. W. E. Charming, 




3 


Wm. Prescotf, 




3 


Rev. J. S. Buchninstcr 


> 


2 


Joseph Lovering, 


S 


8 


Rev. Chas. Lowell, 




11 


Joseph Austin, 


s 


7 


Robt. Williams, 


s 


4 


Rev. H HoUey, 
P. 0. Thacher, 




6 

7 


Dr.J. C. Warren, 




6 


Francis J. Oliver, 




9 


William Wells, 




11 


Rev. Samuel Carey, 
Edmund Hartt 


s 


2 
1 


Geo. G. Lee, 


s 


1 


Turner Phillips, 


s 


4 


Rev J. Huntington, 
Henry Bass, 


s 


3 
3 


Thos. Wigglesworth, 




1 


Benj. Russell, 




6 


Samuel Dorr, 


s 


3 


Lemuel Shaw, 


s 


I 


Enoch Silsby, 


s 


3 


Henry Farnham, 


s 


1 


Lemuel Shaw, 




2 


Henry J. Oliver, 




4 


Rev. N. L. Frolhingham, 


3 


Rev. Daniel Sharp, 
Benjamin West, 




2 

1 


Dr. John G. Coffin, 




2 


Rev. Paul Dean, 




4 


Rev. J. Pierpont, 
Benj Austin, 


s 


6 
1 


Daniel Baxter, 


s 


2 


Jona. Loring, 


s 


2 


Samuel Billings, 


s 


2 


Eliphalet Williams, 


s 


2 


Jeremiah Fitch, 


s 


2 


Mram Babcock, 


s 


2 


Robert Fennelly, 


s 


2 


Samuel A Wells, 


s 


2 


David W. Child, 


s 


1 


John Phillips, Mayor, 




1 



Samuel Billings, A 1 

Ephraim Eiiot, A 1 

Jacob Hall, A 1 

Joseph Head, A 1 

Joseph Jenkins, A 1 

Joseph Lovering, A 1 

Nathaniel P. Russell, A 1 
Bryant P. Tilden, A I 

Francis Bassett, 4 

Dr. Horace Bean, 4 

Rev William Jenks, 2 

William Little, 3 

Eiisha Clap, 3 

William Dall, 3 

Warren Dutton, 2 

Rev. Asa Eaton, 4 

VVitliani Parmenter, 2 

Josiah Quincy, Mayor, 3 

Daniel Baxter, A 2 

George Odiorne, A 2 

David W. Child, A 2 

Joseph H. Dorr, A 2 

Ashur Benj;un?n, A 2 

Enoch Patterson, A 2 

Caleb Eddy, A 2 

Stephen Hooper, A 2 

Rev. Hosea Ballou, 2 

Dr. George Hayward, 2 

Dr. Caleb H. Snow, 
Samuel Swett, 
Daniel Carney, A 

John Bellows, A 

Josiah Mar.-^hall, A 

Thomas Welsh, jr. A 

Henry J Oliver, A 

John Bryant, A 

George Blake, A 

John D. Dyer, A 

Silas Blaisdale, 
Rev. Sebastian Streeter, 
Alden Bradford, 
Rev. B. B. Wisner, 
Rev. Prince Hawes, 



la 



NAMES OP SCHOOL COMMITTEE POR 1826. 

Chairman^ 
Honorable Josiah Quincy, Mayor. 



Daniel Carney, 
John Bellows, 
Josiah Marshall, 
Thomas Welsh, jr. 

Silas Blaisdel, 
Red fort! Webster, 
Horace Bean, 
Asa Ealon, 
Samuel Barrett, 
John B. Davis, 



ALDERMEN. 

Henry J. Oliver, 
John F. Loring, 
Francis Jackson, 
Edward H. Robbins, jr. 

Alden Bradford, 
B. B. Wisner, 
Bradford Sumner. 
George Hayward, 
John Pierpont, 
Prince Hawes. 

Secretary, 
John Pierpont. 



"^ 






MEMBERS OP PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1826. 

Chairmanj 
Dea. Moses Grant. 



Thomas Wells, 
Moses Grant, 
Isaac P. Osgood, 
Joshua P. Blanchard, 



Standing Committee. 

William Brown, 
Dr. Enoch Hale, 
John P. Spooner^ 
Daniel Noyes, 



Secretary. 
William T. Andrews. 



District JVo, 1. 
Henry Fowle, jr. 
Win. Barry, jr. 
William Knapp, 
Ephraira Milton, 
John Fenno, jr. 
Charles Lincoln, jr. 
Rev. feebastian Streeter. 



JVo. 2. 



Joseph Lewis, 
John Farrie, jr. 
Wm. Palfrey, 
Isaac T. Dupee, 
William Jones, 
Whitney Hall. 



14 



District JVo. 3. 
Reuben Richards, jr. 
Fred T Gray, 
George Doiuett, 
John Hewes, 
Geijra;e Lane, 
Samp'^on Reed, 
Samuel Howe, 
John Dane, 

JVo. 4. 
Richard Ward, 
Lewis G. Praj, 
Calvin Washiiurn, 
Dr. John P. Spooner, 
Thomas Power, 
Daniel Henchman, 
Thomas Wiiej, 

District JVo. 5. 
Dr. Zabdiel B. Adams, 
John P. Blanchard, 
Isaac Manslield, 
Abiel Chandler, 



Francis O. Watts, 
Wiliiam T. Kustis, 
Charles Stoddard, 
Rev. Louis Dwight. 

JVo. 6. 
Benjamin A. Gould^ 
Joiin Lowell, jr. 
Samuel Davis, 
David Lee Child, 
James Bowdoin, 
George B. Lmerson, 
George H. snelling. 

JVo. 7, and '■ 
Gerry Fairbanks, 
Stephen Fairbanks, 
William Taylor, 
Rev. Lemuel Capen. 
Bela Hunting, 
Adam Bent, 
Henry Hatch, 
William B. Dorr, 
Francis Jackson. 



Whole number 60. 



Qlj'Genllemen having each the charge of one School. 



NljI L, releried to p. 8. 
There is an uncertainty as to the correctness within some ten or twelve 
years of the early dates here given. The dates are gathered from the 
town records. In the first settlement of the town, although a good atten- 
tion was paid to the subject of education, still that particular regard to 
dates is not found which could be desired, and will account for our not being 
able to fix with more certainty upon the precise time when any particular 
school was estaolished. It may not be unimportant to mention that the first 
record on the town books is in the year " 1634, 7th month, daj' 1," and the 
first notice on the subject of schools is in April 1635 — at about which time 
the first school may be supposed to have been established. — It would appear 
that there was only one school up to the year 1669, as that year we find 
this record, " It is ordered that the ten pounds left by legacy to ye schoole 
of bostone by miss Hudson deceased shall be lett to Capt. James Oliver, 
^subsequently one of the selectmen) for sixteen shillings per annum so long 
as he pleases to improve itt." — It lurther also appears by an order passed ia 
1657 for "inlarging the skoole bouse'' &,c. In 1669 " the schoole house" is men- 
tioned. After this period and prior to the earliest date, excepting that one 
of the Latin School, there were two schools, one at the north and one at the 
south part or in the centre of the town, and which would appear to have 
become amalgamated into the schools as above arranged. 



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